Page 88 of Where You Left Me

Cammie gives me an uneasy look. “You okay?”

“Fine,” I mumble, shaking my head and trying to wipe away the conversation between Sabrina and me.

From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of a vivacious woman with dark hair approaching our table. Rosie has an odd smile stretched on her face that I can’t place. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a smile like that on her before.

My brows pinch together. “What’s going on?” I ask before she’s even sat down.

“Hey,” she greets, pulling out her chair and dropping into it. She glances at both Cammie and me. “What? Why are you two staring at me?”

“Mia is right, something is going on.” Cammie twirls her finger around in Rosie’s direction. “You look…happy.”

Mia shrugs and swipes a drink from the middle of the table. “Shut the hell up. I’m happy.”

“Yeah, sometimes. But not like this. It’s creeping me out.” Cammie narrows her eyes suspiciously. “We’re supposed to be sad, we’re saying bye to Mia tonight.”

“Oh shoot, I know. This sucks.” Mia purses her lips. But there’s still amusement behind her disappointment.

Cammie and I both continue eyeing her.

“Fine,” Rosie blurts. “Mia, you better have plans to come back. Say…next spring?”

I frown a little. Next spring somehow feels so far away and yet at the same time, so soon. As much as I feel better about returning to Maple Ridge, things between Jones and me aren’t exactly mended.

“I mean, I plan on coming back. But I don’t know if it will be in the spring,” I mumble.

“Tough shit. You’re coming in the spring because you’re going to be one of my bridesmaids.” Rosie flops out her hand where there’s a giant, sparkling diamond on her ring finger.

My heartbeat picks up as excitement spins through me.

Cammie shrieks and jumps out of her chair, nearly toppling it over as she throws her arms around Rosie. I wait my turn to congratulate her. Emotions build in me seeing the joy on Rosie’s face.

“I’m so happy for you,” Cammie cries. “My girl is getting married!”

When it’s finally my turn, I squeeze Rosie tight, and whisper, “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Me

For your eyes only.

I snapa picture of the trailhead sign and text it to Cammie. As much as I prefer my hikes in solidarity, I’ve learned since being home there are people who care about me, and they should know if I’m about to take off alone. Back in the day, this was one of my favorite hikes and the cell service was spotty at best.

Cammie hearts my picture.

Cammie

Don’t worry your secret is safe with me.

And I believe her.

A flood of warmth hits my chest. Cammie has always been someone I can trust. It just took coming back home for that fact to solidify in my brain. Rosie too. These two women are the definition of true friends. I only wish I had discovered it sooner. I know my secret about the baby would’ve been safe with them.

I debate sending a text to Jones. I draft the beginning of a message, but in the end, I delete it and stuff my phone into the side pocket of my yoga pants. At this point, I feel like anything I say will be wrong.

There’s already this dark cloud above us since the event wrapped up two days ago and we got into a fight. It’s as if we were waiting for those clouds to open and dump rain down on us. A storm to rage and ruin all that we built this summer.

I begin the hike on the dusty trail, which weaves through towering pine trees. They gift me some shade from the late morning sun. I should’ve gotten started earlier, but the few hours I spent packing was what prompted me to go for a hike.

My head has been a jumbled mess. An internal debate has been continuous in my mind for the last week. Should I stay or should I go? And what would either of those options look like?

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